There are friendly small towns and then there are super friendly Virginia small towns. Damascus, Virginia certainly qualifies as one of the latter. This tiny locale in the southwestern portion of the state has gained the nickname of “Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail,” and you’ll quickly discover why. The famous A.T. runs right through town, and the locals love it. Here are some ideas for fun things to do in Damascus, Virginia. Hint: you’ll probably want to bring your hiking boots with you!

Chances are, you've heard of the famous Appalachian Trail. It's a 2,200-mile thru-hike that follows the Appalachian Mountains and runs from Georgia to Maine.
Joel Carillet / Getty Images
In fact, here in Virginia, we have more miles of the Appalachian Trail than any other state!
Virginia has another claim to fame, too, when it comes to the A.T. There's one town that the trail passes directly through: Damascus, Virginia.
Town of Damascus, Virginia / Facebook
It's no wonder, then, that Damascus has earned the nickname Trail Town USA. In fact, when you walk downtown on the Laurel Street sidewalks, you're technically hiking the trail!
Town of Damascus, Virginia / Facebook
Damascus is also the unofficial welcome point for north-bound (NOBO) hikers of the A.T. Hikers know that when they reach Damascus, they have completed about a quarter of the trail and have another 500 miles of Virginia to hike.
Town of Damascus, Virginia / Facebook

Related Stories

This Off-The-Beaten-Path Hiking Destination In Virginia Is The Perfect Place To Escape

This Off-The-Beaten-Path Hiking Destination In Virginia Is The Perfect Place To Escape

 The Rugged And Remote Hiking Trail In Virginia That Is Well-Worth The Effort

The Rugged And Remote Hiking Trail In Virginia That Is Well-Worth The Effort

 The Virginia Park Worth Driving Across The State To Explore

The Virginia Park Worth Driving Across The State To Explore
Damascus has also earned the nickname of being incredibly friendly, whether you're hiking through or just visiting for a few days.
Town of Damascus, Virginia / Facebook
The town and its locals are passionate about maintaining the trails. The section of the trail that runs through Damascus is maintained by the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club.
Town of Damascus, Virginia / Facebook
The club is made up of volunteers who are not only passionate about the A.T., but the other network of nearby trails. They invite you to join them on social hikes to get out and explore the area.
Town of Damascus, Virginia / Facebook
Each year, Damascus also hosts "Trail Days," which takes place the weekend after Mother's Day. It's the world's largest gathering of A.T. enthusiasts and hikers, plus over 100 vendors!
Town of Damascus, Virginia / Facebook

Have you ever visited this friendly town? What are some of your favorite things to do in Damascus, VA? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Virginia

Featured Addresses
Damascus, VA 24236, USA